Kornati National Park: Day Trips and Tours from Zadar

With its alluring emerald waters and abundance of wildlife, Kornati National Park is not to be missed. There is something for everyone in this corner of Croatia, from striking photographic opportunities to invigorating hikes.

You can spot a dolphin leaping through the clear seas, learn about Byzantine architecture or simply relax on deck as you sail through this fascinating archipelago. However you choose to spend your Kornati National Park day trip from Zadar, you're sure to be impressed by its remarkable islets.

Here's all you need to know about Kornati National Park , one of the most exciting day trips from Zadar.

How to get to Kornati National Park from Zadar?

Kornati National Park is located just off the coast of Croatia, in the Adriatic Sea. Located around 25 kilometers from the city of Zadar, you can journey to Kornati National Park in around 2 to 3 hours.

From Zadar to Kornati National Park by boat

You can charter a boat to make the jaunt to Kornati National Park from Zadar. You'll find vessels for hire around the docks of Zadar, and you can agree on a price with your skipper there, and then. While this can be the priciest option, you'll enjoy complete privacy on your trip.

Guided tour to Kornati National Park from Zadar

The most convenient way to see the islands is to arrange a guided excursion to Kornati National Park. Day tours usually begin between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, and meet by the dock you'll depart from. These trips range in duration, from 4 to 10 hours, which allows you to choose one to suit your needs.

How much does the entrance ticket cost?

The entrance fee to Kornati National Park is charged per boat, and ranges from €20 to €1,700 per day, depending on the vessel size.

If you take part in a day trip, the cost of this may be included in your tour price. If not, you'll usually be charged an additional €30-€40 per person by your tour operator.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Kornati National Park from Zadar?

On Kornati National Park day tours, you'll be asked to arrive at your meeting point around 30 minutes before departure. Once you've made yourself comfortable on board, you'll set sail in the direction of the national park. Speedboats can reach the archipelago in under an hour, however, larger boats take up to 3 hours to make the journey.

During this time, you can enjoy a drink on board and get to know other participants with similar interests. Alternatively, grab your camera and capture some remarkable shots as the islands come into view. Some tours that leave Zadar especially early provide breakfast en route.

You'll usually stop for a swim or snorkel, to enjoy the crystal clear waters in the national park. If you choose to snorkel, you'll be met by a plethora of exotic creatures, such as loggerhead turtles. You may also visit the Tureta Fortress, and view the history of the national park, which dates back to ancient times.

Stopping for lunch on one of the many islands that form the park, you'll enjoy magnificent views as you tuck into the local cuisine. After sailing through the charming area, you'll begin the journey back to Zadar, where your Kornati National Park day trip ends.

What kinds of tours are available?

Kornati National Park is a popular spot for a day trip, and you can choose from several different tours depending on your preferences.

Day tour to Kornati National Park from Zadar

Leaving Zadar behind, you'll sail through the dazzling waters of the Adriatic, toward the idyllic islands that form Kornati National Park. Along the way, you'll stop to hike to the 6th-century Tureta Fortress, which provides panoramic views for miles around.

Your boat will weave through the plethora of islands in the national park, showcasing the beauty that lies just off the coast of Croatia. Slip into the water for a spot of snorkeling, where you may see several species of coral, bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead turtles.

Private speedboat tour to Kornati National Park from Zadar

If you'd like more control over your itinerary, choose a private speedboat day tour of Kornati National Park. You can select your departure time, as well as the schedule for your day trip. You'll avoid tourist traps in the national park, and instead head to secluded spots.

Let Kornati wow you, and direct your skipper to whichever corner of the national park takes your fancy.

Day trip to Kornati National Park plus Telašćica Nature Park from Zadar

If you wish to explore more of the seas surrounding Croatia, you can extend your day trip of Kornati National Park to include the acclaimed Telašćica Nature Park. Located less than 10 kilometers from Kornati, Telašćica Nature Park is home to a wealth of wildlife and sea creatures.

On land, the park boasts almost 500 species of fauna, including snakes, lizards and tree frogs.

How much does a tour cost?

The most budget-friendly way to plan a Kornati National Park day trip is to include Telašćica Nature Park in your plans. A tour of both ranges from €60 to €100 per person. Those on the lower end of this range last around 4 hours, while those on the higher end last longer and take place in small groups.

Day tours to Kornati National Park include breakfast and lunch, park entry fees, a guide, and the use of snorkeling equipment. You can expect to pay between €70 and €80 each.

A private speedboat tour costs approximately €170 if you travel alone. However, if you have the maximum number of eight participants in your group, you'll each pay around €80.

What will you see and do?

There are 89 islands that form the Kornati archipelago, many of which are explored on a Kornati National Park day trip. The largest island in the park, named Kornat, measures just over 30 square kilometers.

The national park is famed for its pristine blue waters that surround Croatia, and an abundance of marine life thriving just under the surface of the seas.

Entering the deep blue depths of the ocean is a thrill, as there are over 350 varieties of algae present in the waters of the park. You'll also find over 60 species of coral, as well as mollusks, crabs and bristle worms.

If you're lucky, you may see larger creatures that reside in the national park, such as loggerhead turtles or bottlenose dolphins. Neither of these species is particularly shy and both are often seen by tourists on day tours of Kornati National Park.

There are almost 150 bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the waters surrounding the Kornati islands, and your best chance of spotting them is to head to the southern part of the park.

Looking to the skies, you may see common shags or yellow-legged gulls cawing overhead. At night, the endangered eagle owl roams the park, which has an enormous wingspan of almost 2 meters and is identified by the feathery tufts on its head.

Alongside fascinating flora and fauna, Kornati National Park also has interesting historical ties. Archaeologists have found evidence of humans on the islands as far back as the Neolithic era, which dates between 4,300 BC and 2,000 BC.

However, the most notable evidence of life is the Tureta Fortress, which was built during the Byzantine period, and visitors can wander around the historic monument today.

When is the best time to visit it?

You can plan a day trip to Kornati National Park throughout the year. However, for the most enjoyable conditions, choose to travel to the park during the summer months. You'll find the seas are calm during this time, allowing for superb snorkeling, and you can soak up the sunshine from the deck of your boat.

Travel tips

• During the summer months, Kornati National Park reaches high temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius. For this reason, take sunscreen and a sun hat with you on your excursion.
• In order to see even more of Croatia's natural gems, you should consider participating in a day trip that includes Telašćica Nature Park.
• Check whether your tour includes park entry fees before booking.